ASTM D7579-09(2019)

Standard Test Method for Pyrolysis Solids Content in Pyrolysis Liquids by Filtration of Solids in Methanol

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Pyrolysis liquid can be produced to various char concentrations. Increasing pyrolysis solids content can affect the pyrolysis liquid biofuel handling, atomization and storage stability in a negative manner.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a filtration procedure for determining the pyrolysis solids content of pyrolysis liquid. It is intended for the analysis of pyrolysis liquid with all ranges of pyrolysis solids concentrations.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage. For specific warning statements, see 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2019
• ICS: 71.040.40 - Chemical analysis
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.06 - Analysis of Liquid Fuels and Lubricants

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7579-09(2013) - Standard Test Method for Pyrolysis Solids Content in Pyrolysis Liquids by Filtration of Solids in Methanol
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4175-23a - Standard Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D4175-23e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023
• Refers: ASTM D4057-06(2011) - Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D4057-95(2000) - Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D7544-23 - Standard Specification for Pyrolysis Liquid Biofuel
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019

Overview

ASTM D7579-09(2019): Standard Test Method for Pyrolysis Solids Content in Pyrolysis Liquids by Filtration of Solids in Methanol is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. This test method establishes a reliable procedure to determine the solids content present in pyrolysis liquids, particularly those derived from biomass. Pyrolysis liquids, often referred to as bio-oil or pyrolysis liquid biofuel, can vary in their content of suspended solids such as char and ash. These solids can impact the handling, atomization, and storage stability of biofuels, making accurate measurement essential for biofuel production, quality control, and research.

Key Topics

• Pyrolysis Liquids and Solids: Pyrolysis liquids are produced from the thermal decomposition of organic material in the absence of oxygen. These liquids often contain suspended solids, primarily char (carbon-rich residue) and ash.
• Filtration-Based Determination: The test method uses a filtration procedure in which the pyrolysis liquid sample is dissolved in a methanol and dichloromethane solution, filtered through a glass microfibre filter (1 µm pore size), and the retained solids are quantified.
• Significance of Solids Content: High levels of pyrolysis solids may negatively affect downstream processes such as fuel atomization, combustion efficiency, and the long-term storage of bio-oil.
• Standard Test Environment: Results are reported using SI units, and the method is suitable for all concentrations of pyrolysis solids, ensuring broad applicability and comparability.

Applications

AstM D7579 is particularly valuable in the following contexts:

• Biofuel Production: Producers of biomass-derived liquid fuels use this standard to ensure product consistency and determine whether the solids content in pyrolysis liquids meets process and usage requirements.
• Quality Control: Laboratories apply this method for routine analysis of pyrolysis oil samples as part of quality assurance protocols.
• Research and Development: Scientists and engineers utilize the standard for investigating the properties of pyrolysis liquids, optimizing production methods, or comparing feedstocks.
• Regulatory Compliance: Organizations adopting standardized test methods like ASTM D7579 ensure that their measurement approaches are compatible with international requirements and industry best practices.

Related Standards

• ASTM D4057 - Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• ASTM D4175 - Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• ASTM D4177 - Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• ESPOO 2001 - Guide to physical property characterization of biomass-derived fast pyrolysis liquids

Using ASTM D7579 in combination with these related standards supports consistent sampling, terminology, and measurement procedures across the bioenergy industry.

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Keywords: ASTM D7579, pyrolysis solids, pyrolysis liquids, filtration, bio-oil, char, biomass-derived fuels, solids content testing, ASTM standards, biofuel quality control, method for pyrolysis liquids, methanol filtration, international standards in biofuels.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D7579 − 09 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Pyrolysis Solids Content in Pyrolysis Liquids by Filtration
of Solids in Methanol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7579; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 Other Standards:
ESPOO 2001 A guide to physical property characterisation
1.1 This test method describes a filtration procedure for
of biomass-derived fast pyrolysis liquids
determining the pyrolysis solids content of pyrolysis liquid. It
is intended for the analysis of pyrolysis liquid with all ranges
3. Terminology
of pyrolysis solids concentrations.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.1 See also Terminology D4175.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.2 char, n—fine carbonaceous powder that is separated
standard.
from the vapors of biomass during pyrolysis.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1.2.1 Discussion—Pyrolysis liquid biofuel contains uni-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the formly suspended char at varying concentrations.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.3 pyrolysis, n—chemical decomposition of organic ma-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
terials by heating in the absence of oxygen.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.4 pyrolysis liquid biofuel, n—liquid product from the
Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and
pyrolysis of biomass.
materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage. For specific
3.1.4.1 Discussion—Pyrolysisliquidbiofueliscomprisedof
warning statements, see 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4.
a complex mixture of the decomposition products of ligno-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
cellulosic biomass including highly oxygenated organic com-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
pounds. It is produced from the pyrolysis of biomass, followed
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
by the rapid condensation of its vapors.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.5 pyrolysis solids, n—solid particles contained within
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
the pyrolysis liquid biofuel.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—Pyrolysis solids consists of ash and
char.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4. Summary of Test Method
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
4.1 Apyrolysis liquid sample is dissolved in a methanol and
Petroleum Products
dichloromethane solution (1:1), which is then filtered through
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
a vacuum filter system. After filtering, the filtrand is washed
Fuels, and Lubricants
with the solvent until the filtrate is clear. The filter is removed,
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
dried and weighed. The pyrolysis solids content is calculated
Petroleum Products
based on the original pyrolysis liquid sample.
5. Significance and Use
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
5.1 Pyrolysis liquid can be produced to various char con-
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
centrations. Increasing pyrolysis solids content can affect the
Subcommittee D02.06 on Analysis of Liquid Fuels and Lubricants.
pyrolysis liquid biofuel handling, atomization and storage
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2019.PublishedJuly2019.Originallyapproved
in 2009. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D7579 – 09 (2013). DOI: stability in a negative manner.
10.1520/D7579-09R19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM AvailablefromVTTEnergy,NewEnergyTechnologies,Biologinkuja3–5,P.O.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Box 1601, FIN-02044 VTT, Finland. http://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/publications/2001/
the ASTM website. P450.pdf
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7579 − 09 (2019)
6. Apparatus (see Fig. 1) 9.2 Place a 400 mL beaker on the balance, and tare it.
9.3 Vigorously shake the sample by hand for a minimum of
6.1 Smooth-tip Forceps.
15 s.
6.2 Beaker, 400 mL.
9.4 Using a disposable pipette, weigh approximately 15 g of
6.3 Glass Stirring Rod.
pyrolysis liquid sample into the beaker. Record the weight to
6.4 Oven, explosion-proof, capable of maintaining a tem-
the nearest 0.1 mg.
perature of 105 °C 6 3 °C.
9.5 Add approximately 100 mL to 200 mL MeOH-DCM
6.5 Filtering Flask,1L.
solution (1:1) into the beaker and stir the mixture vigorously to
dissolve the pyrolysis liquid in the solvent.
6.6 Filter Holders, borosilicate glass.
9.6 Mount the filter on a dry holder and apply a vacuum.
6.7 Filter Membrane, binder free glass microfiber, 1 µm.
Mount and securely clamp the filter funnel to the filter holder.
6.8 Weighing Dish, aluminum.
9.7 Use methanol to wash the filter paper to properly seal
6.9 Balance, capable of weighing to the nearest 0.0001 g
the latter to the bottom of the funnel.
(0.1 mg) with a range of 300 g.
9.8 Filter the solution through the vacuum filter sy
...